As the caravan of Nidahas Trophy continues, India and Bangladesh will lock horns at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo. The last time these two sides met, Bangladesh’s inexperience in crunch situations and a bit of overconfidence was at the fore as they failed to close out the match after having swiped off 9 off the 11 required. One of the batsmen at the heart of that crushing loss was current Bangladeshi skipper Mahmudullah and he’d know how even a bit of complacency can come to haunt them.

While they have won just one of their last 10 T20I, India’s defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in the opening game of the Nidahas Trophy should offer them some solace, and the prospect of facing an Indian team without their usual superstars would only give their beleaguered hope a much-needed fillip.

Pitch and Weather conditions:

Another hot and humid day will be expected at Colombo with a remote possibility of thundershowers in the afternoon. Due might also have a role in the latter part of the game as evident from the previous encounter.

When: Thursday, 8th March 2018 at 7:00 PM IST

Where: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Analyzing the teams and the marquee players to watch out for:

India

India after an indifferent start to their series will be looking to regain lost ground when they take on Bangladesh come March 8th. The challenges for the team are different though. To be without six of their frontline players including Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni is a tricky situation itself, however, it all depends on how youngsters perceive it. Rohit Sharma would be tempted to present every player with an opportunity to showcase their skills and talent at the highest level.

While Vijay Shankar’s induction would’ve delighted the think-tank, Mohammad Siraj might get a game ahead of Shardul Thakur, who recovered admirably after a ravaging 27-run over against Kushal Perera. Washington Sundar with his miserly bowling might have to double up with the bat, while India will also look to offer chances to KL Rahul and Axar Patel too at some point, both having traveled with the team for some time now.

Bangladesh who’ve lost nine of their last ten T20I and is coming back from a heart-wrenching loss to Sri Lanka across formats will look to redeem themselves when they clash against a second-string Indian team.

While much of their hopes will hinge on opener Tamim Iqbal to give them a blistering start at the start, the trio of Somya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, and Rahim who are the only players to score in excess of hundred runs in their last six completed T20I, will form the bedrock of their batting in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.

The bowling too needs to step up as the trio of Rubel, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman has been dealt harshly by the batsmen in recent times.